Exterior
If you quickly check my review of the Fractal Design Torrent PC case from 6 months ago, well, you’ll be forgiven for not seeing much difference in the Compact. It’s more been on a light diet than really shrunk down too much though, but again, the normal torrent is bloody massive, so this is no bad thing slimming it down a little. The full-size model is 640 x 343 x 674 while the Compact is “only” 535 x 306 x 571mm. On the plus side, the Compact will fit comfortably under my desk without sticking out, so that’s a good start.
There are multiple versions of this case available in black or white, with standard fans or with ARGB fans, with light or dark tinted tempered glass, or with a solid side panel. The RGB version is only available with the tempered glass side panel though. However, those changes literally lie with changing the fans and the side panel as appropriate, the rest of the case remains the same. That’s no bad thing though as regardless of which side panel you choose, it’s going to look epic.
The front is the most impressive aspect though, with that high-airflow design that strikes me as both industrial and stylish in equal measures. The gaps are massive, and behind it, two enormous 180mm Fractal Design fans. Again, the non-RGB model comes with black fans, but the RGB model is the Prisma fans.
The case is made from robust materials, and while it undoubtedly looks like a premium quality product, it certainly feels like one too. Albeit, the full-size Torrent was hilariously heavy at 18.84kg (tempered glass model) while the equivalent Compact is just 9.7kg, and after a day of lifting it around the office, I’m glad it’s lighter.
The right side panel is also glass, and since I have the light-tinted glass, it’ll be easier to see the PC hardware within. It’ll also mean that cable routing is on show too, but luckily, this case promises to take care of that too.
Around the back, you’ll notice the case mixes things up, moving the PSU up to the top of the case like it’s 2012 again, while your hardware sits much lower down now. There’s an awful lot of ventilation here too, which is no bad thing. While there’s no rear fan pre-installed, you can add one, but those front 180mm fans are going to move so much air, I’d be surprised if many builds need anything else.
Another cool feature is the cable routing mounts on the side, which allows you to strap down excess cables and lead them to the bottom corner of the case in a neat fashion.
The top of the case is quite unique too, as that’s actually a removable panel so you can mount the PSU from the top, but there’s also a top PSU shroud and some HDD bays under there too, which is pretty neat.
There’s a well equipped front I/O panel too, with HD audio jacks, power controls USB 3.0 ports, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.
On the underside, there’s a full-length dust filter, and I really do mean full length as there’s no PSU here, you can actually use the bottom of the case for added passive airflow, fans or radiators. 2 x 180 mm if you’re using an mATX motherboard, otherwise it’ll house 2 x 140 mm, or 3 x 120 mm cooling hardware.
